Hands Free Nursing Bra for Preventing Suffocation and Method for Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A bra for adjusting the orientation of the user&#39;s nipple when nursing, thus eliminating the danger of suffocation and giving the user a more complete peace of mind. Connected to the nursing bra is a soft strap that which permits the user to manually select how much the strap pushes on the breast. The strap is threaded through a loop near the center of the bra and then pulled across the excess breast tissue above the nipple, gently pushing it back and exposing the nipple. The strap is then securely fastened to itself after being disposed through a second loop that is located on an opposing side of the cup from the first loop. The mother can then feed the baby hands free. When not in use, the strap can be relaxed or loosened while still in the bra, thereby permitting the bra to operate as a normal support/nursing bra.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/849,658 filed on May 17, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 120.

BACKGROUND Field of the Technology

The invention relates to the field of nursing garments, specifically a nursing bra with an enhanced ability to fully and comfortably support the breasts, orientate the nipple for breast feeding while suppressing excess flesh that might otherwise block the airway of the infant.

Description of the Prior Art

When nursing an infant, it is important for the mother to provide clear and unobstructed access to the breast for the baby so that the baby can properly latch and begin nursing. Obstructed or blocked access to the breast by either clothing or the breast itself can not only prevent nursing, but also could possibly cover the baby's nasal airway, thereby leading to possible deprivation of oxygen which in turn could lead to serious harm to the baby including brain damage or even asphyxiation.

Nursing brassieres or bras have long been used to provide quick and easy access for the baby to reach and latch onto the nipple of the mother. Typically, a nursing bra is worn like a regular bra however the cup portions of the bra are selectively coupled to a nearby shoulder strap. A front cover or cup of the bra is unhooked or decoupled from the adjacent shoulder strap and then bent or folded downward or to the side in order to expose the breast and nipple beneath. After nursing, the cup is brought back up and reattached or coupled to the shoulder strap, thereby covering the breast and allowing the mother to resume other activities without having to fully disrobe or completely remove their bra in order to breast feed their child.

However a problem develops when the user uncouples the front flap or cup since any structural support for the breast is also removed, thereby allowing the breast move downward. While for some women this may not pose much of an issue, for women with larger breasts the unsupported breast is a hazard unless handled by hand while feeding. Holding the breast from underneath while pinching excess flesh on top is both awkward and particularly uncomfortable for the mother. The breast can actually completely cover the baby's face and block the baby's nasal airway. For preoccupied or inexperienced mothers, this can lead to tragic results since there is a natural assumption that if the baby is latched on or adjacent to the nipple, the baby can also comfortably breathe while nursing.

What is needed is a nursing bra with an enhanced ability to fully and comfortably support the breasts, orientate the nipple for breast feeding while suppressing excess flesh that might otherwise block the airway of the infant.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention provides an apparatus for safely nursing an infant. The apparatus includes at least one cup attached to a band, a first loop attached adjacent to a first lateral edge of the at least one cup, and a second loop attached adjacent to a second lateral edge of the at least one cup, where the second lateral edge is disposed on an opposite side of the at least one cup relative to the first lateral edge. Additionally, the apparatus includes a support strap disposed within the apparatus and a means for selectively adjusting a length of the support strap. The support strap is disposed through the first loop and the second loop.

In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first and second panel, both of which are attached to the band. Here, the support strap includes a proximal end which is connected to the second pane which is in turn attached to the band adjacent to the second lateral edge of the at least one cup. The second loop is specifically attached to the first panel. Additionally, a shoulder strap is also connected to the first panel. Both the first panel and the second panel each comprise a shape so as to accommodate a surface of a breast of a user.

In another embodiment, the means for selectively adjusting the length of the support strap includes a segment of hook and loop fabric that is disposed on a distal end of the support strap.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one cup includes a means for selectively coupling to a shoulder strap.

The current invention also provides a method for nursing an infant. The method includes disposing a bra comprising at least one cup over a breast, selectively adjusting a length of a support strap coupled to the bra, and applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast. The support strap is then locked into a desired position, allowing the breast to be exposed to allow the infant to nurse.

In one embodiment, the method also includes releasing the support strap from the desired position, extending the support strap to a relaxed position; and then relocking the support strap at the newly selected relaxed position.

In another embodiment, disposing the bra comprising at least one cup over the breast specifically includes disposing a proximal portion of the support strap over a top portion of the breast while also disposing a distal portion of the support strap over a front portion of the breast. Here, the step of applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast is accomplished by applying a pressure to the top portion of the breast by the proximal portion of the support strap while simultaneously applying a pressure to the front portion of the breast by the distal portion of the support strap.

In yet another embodiment, selectively adjusting a length of the support strap disposed within the bra includes gripping a distal end of the support strap and then pulling the distal end of the support strap so that the support strap applies a pressure to the breast until the breast is moved into a desired position. Here, pulling the distal end of the support strap includes pulling the support strap through a first loop that is attached to a position that is adjacent to a first lateral edge of the cup and then pulling the support strap through a second loop that is attached to a position that is adjacent to a second lateral edge of the cup. In this embodiment, the first lateral edge of the cup is disposed on an opposing side of the cup from the second lateral edge of the cup. Also in this embodiment, pulling the support strap through the second loop includes pressing a first panel connected to the second loop up against a surface of the breast while pulling the support strap through the first loop includes pressing a second panel coupled to the first loop up against a surface of the breast.

In another embodiment locking the support strap into a desired position specifically includes connecting a distal end of the support strap to itself at a position that is selected from a plurality of available positions that are disposed along a length of the support strap.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein locking the support strap into a desired position comprises folding the distal end of the support strap around the second loop and then coupling the distal end to a remaining portion of the support strap.

In yet another embodiment, exposing the breast to allow the infant to nurse includes uncoupling a portion of the cup from the bra and folding the cup downward. Specifically, the top portion of the cup is uncoupled from a first panel that is disposed within the bra.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the prior art consisting of a nursing bra being worn by a user while the cup portions of the bra cover each of the user's breasts.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the prior art nursing bra seen in FIG. 1 when one of the cups have been decoupled and folded downward to expose the user's breast.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the current invention comprising a nursing bra for safely nursing an infant.

FIG. 4A is a magnified view of the back portion of the nursing bra seen in FIG. 3, the back portion comprising a rear surface of the cup, along with a first panel and a second panel coupled to a band.

FIG. 4B is the back portion of the nursing bra seen in FIG. 4A with the first panel pulled upward.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the nursing bra seen in FIGS. 3-4B being worn by a user when one of the cups has been decoupled ad folded downward, thereby exposing the breast and the first and second panels as well as the support strap keeping the breast in the desired orientation.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the currently known prior art. FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a standard bra 1 which comprises a pair of cups 16 for accommodating and supporting a user's breasts. The cups 16 are held in place by a band 12 which encircles the user and a pair of shoulder straps 14 which couple a back portion of the band 12 to the cups 16. FIG. 2 in turn is a standard nursing bra 2 which likewise comprises a pair cups 16, a pair of corresponding shoulder straps 14, and a band 12. Here however each cup 16 or at least a portion thereof is selectively coupled to a shoulder strap 14 via a hook or other coupling means so that each cup 16 may be bent or folded downward to provide the baby unobstructed access to the breast of the user. Each shoulder strap 14 comprises a lower portion 14′ which remains coupled to the band 12 regardless if the cup 16 is selectively coupled to the shoulder strap 14 so that the user may continue to wear the bra 2 even when nursing.

The purpose of this current invention is to gently hold down the fleshy part of the breast above the areola to keep an infant from suffocating while nursing. Typically nursing mothers, especially those with larger breasts, have to hold this part down with their hand whilst the baby is latched on. This act requires the mother to hunch over or bend in an uncomfortable position and engage both hands.

Turning to FIG. 3, the current invention is seen and is denoted generally with reference numeral 10. The current invention is a bra 10 comprising a band 12 which encircles the body of a user. The opposing ends of the band 12 are selectively coupled together through a plurality of fasteners as is known in the art including but not limited to hooks, snaps, buttons, or the like. Coupled to the band 12 are a pair of shoulder straps 14 which are configured to extend from a rear or back portion of the band 12 and over each respective shoulder of the user when the bra 10 is being worn. The bra 10 further comprises a pair of cups 16 comprising a bottom portion or edge which is integrally formed with or sewn to a front or chest portion of the band 12. Each cup 16 further comprises an adjustable fastener 22 such as a clasp, hook, ring, or segment of hook and latch fabric at its top portion or edge which is configured to couple to or interact with a corresponding aperture disposed on each shoulder strap 14.

As seen in FIG. 4A, each shoulder strap 14 is coupled to a first panel 18 which extends from a region substantially near a top portion of the cup 16 and has a distal end coupled to a bottom portion or seam 17 of each cup 16. The first panel 18 may be an integral portion of the shoulder strap 14, or alternatively, may be selectively coupled to the shoulder strap 14 via an eyelet 24. The bra 10 also comprises at least two support straps 20, one for each cup 16. Each support strap 20 comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the support strap 20 is coupled to a second panel 28 which is in turn coupled to at least a portion of the and while the distal end of the support strap 20 is threaded through a first loop 32 and then selectively coupled to itself and the first panel 18 as is further detailed below.

The band 12, the shoulder straps 14, the first panel 18, the second panel 28, and the cups 16 are preferably comprised of soft, resilient fabric such as cotton, polyester, elastic, nylon, or other suitable materials now known or later devised. The support straps 20 are preferably elastic or otherwise highly adjustable, however other materials including non-elastic fabric may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.

Returning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the proximal end of the support strap 20 is coupled to the second panel 28 by being adhered or sewn into the second panel 28 itself or into common seam between the second panel 28 and the support strap 20. In a preferred embodiment, the first panel 18 also comprises a second loop 34 which is configured to accommodate the distal end 36 of the support strap 20 being looped or threaded there through. A portion of one surface of the support strap 20 comprises a segment of hook and loop fabric such that the support strap 20 may be joined or coupled to itself when the distal end 36 of the support strap 20 is pressed against itself. Specifically, the support strap 20 is threaded through the first loop 32 which is disposed on a first lateral side of the cup 16 and then through the second loop 34 coupled to the first panel 18, the first panel 18 and the second loop 34 being disposed on an opposing lateral side of the cup 16 relative to the first loop 34. The support strap 20 is folded in on itself and then locked or held in position by pressing the distal end 36 of the support strap 20 against itself so as to engage the hook and loop fabric disposed on either surface. The segment of hook and loop fabric disposed on the support strap 20 is sufficiently long enough so that a range or a continuum of attachment points for the distal end 36 to engage with are available which allows the same segment of hook and loop fabric to be used when the support strap 20 is in a very loose configuration, a very tight configuration, or anything in between.

To use the bra 10, the user/mother puts the bra 10 on as is known in the art, namely be inserting each arm between the respective shoulder straps 14 and the band 12 and then joining the opposing ends of the band 12 with a plurality of hooks or other fasteners, thereby fixing the bra 10 in place on the user's body. The support strap 20 is adjusted so that the proximal portion of the support strap 20 is disposed over the top portion or surface of the user's breast, while the distal end 36 of the support strap 20 is disposed across the front of the user's breast beneath the nipple. The support strap 20 is initially disposed in a substantially relaxed or loose configuration within each cup 16. Specifically, each support strap 20 is already disposed through the first and second loops 32, 34 when the user puts on the bra 10, however the distal end 36 of each support strap 20 is only extended or stretched enough so that it meets the corresponding segment of hook and loop fabric after being disposed through the second loop 32 and folded back on itself. Next, one or both cups 16 are actuated or otherwise released by decoupling each clasp 22 which permits them to be folded downward or otherwise removed in order to expose the breast. The support strap 20 is then adjusted by the user gripping the distal end 36 of the support strap 20 and pulling it upward out of the proximity of the cup 16 and away from the second loop 34, thereby lengthening the support strap 20 and tightening it around the breast. The distal end 36 of the support strap 20 is then brought across the fleshy part of the breast beneath the areola and coupled to itself by pressing the distal end 36 against the opposing surface of the support strap 20 and engaging the hook and loop fabric thereon to lock the support strap into position as best seen in FIG. 5. In this fashion, the user can effectively ratchet or select the amount of leverage being applied to the breast of the user. This is particularly critical for users with larger breasts who need a larger amount of leverage to keep their breast in a raised position.

After being sufficiently attached, the user may adjust the support strap 20 as needed in order to adjust the position of the nipple and/or to make it comfortable for the user. Once the proper support and amount of the leverage has been obtained, the baby may latch and begin nursing while the user maintains at least one free hand for performing other tasks. The support strap 20 sufficiently presses downward on the fleshy top part of the breast which forces the nipple in a more outward position for nursing while the distal portion of the support strap 20, the band 12, and the bottom portion of the cup 16 simultaneously support the breast from underneath, thereby preventing the breast from covering the infant's oral airway when nursing. The bra 10 allows the user to keep their hands for completing another task without fear that their breast may be blocking the nostrils of the baby. Additionally, because each cup 16 comprises an independently adjustable support strap 20, the user may nurse from either breast or even nurse twins in tandem if desired.

After nursing, the baby unlatches and the user disconnects or loosens the support strap 20 by disengaging the distal end 36 from the remaining portion of the support strap 20 and letting the support strap 20 relax and contract into its original starting length where it is once again pressed against itself and locked or fixed into position. Finally, the cup 16 is brought back up to its original position covering the breast and fixed in place by recoupling the clasp 22 to the eyelet 24 disposed on the shoulder strap 14. The user may then continue to wear the bra 10 as a standard nursing/support bra with the support strap 20 in a relaxed configuration so as to provide a more comfortable fit when the baby is not actively nursing.

In addition to nursing a baby directly, the user may use a breast pump or other similar device while wearing the bra 10 in a hands free manner. Specifically, after adjusting the support strap 20 as disclosed above, a breast cup portion of a standard breast pump may be used used by sliding it under the support strap 20 and applying it to the nipple. In this fashion, the user may pump without having to continually hold or adjust their breast with their hand, allowing to complete other tasks or just relax.

In a related embodiment, the support strap 20 may be fully detachable from the bra 10 at both its respective distal and proximate ends, allowing the user to completely remove the support strap 20 when not nursing. Additionally, the support strap 20 may be removably coupled to the outside of the band 12 or cup 16, thereby not requiring the user to expose their breast when pulling out and adjusting the support strap 20. Relatedly, a plurality of removable support straps 20 may be provided wherein each support strap 20 comprises a different size thus allowing the user to select the support strap 20 most appropriate for their needs.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for safely nursing an infant comprising: at least one cup coupled to a band; a first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the at least one cup; a second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the at least one cup, wherein the second lateral edge is disposed on an opposite side of the at least one cup relative to the first lateral edge; a support strap disposed within the apparatus; and means for selectively adjusting a length of the support strap, wherein the support strap is disposed through the first loop and the second loop.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first panel coupled to the band and a second panel coupled to the band.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the support strap comprises a proximal end coupled to the second panel and wherein the second loop is coupled to the first panel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively adjusting the length of the support strap comprises a segment of hook and loop fabric disposed on a distal end of the support strap.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a shoulder strap coupled to the first panel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second panel is coupled to the band adjacent to the second lateral edge of the at least one cup.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cup comprises means for selectively coupling to a shoulder strap.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise a shape to accommodate a surface of a breast of a user.
 9. A method for nursing an infant comprising: disposing a bra comprising at least one cup over a breast; selectively adjusting a length of a support strap coupled to the bra; applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast; locking the support strap into a desired position; and exposing the breast to allow the infant to nurse.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: releasing the support strap from the desired position; extending the support strap to a relaxed position; and relocking the support strap at the relaxed position.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein disposing the bra comprising at least one cup over the breast comprises disposing a proximal portion of the support strap over a top portion of the breast and disposing a distal portion of the support strap over a front portion of the breast.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein selectively adjusting a length of the support strap disposed within the bra comprises: gripping a distal end of the support strap; and pulling the distal end of the support strap so that the support strap applies a pressure to the breast until the breast is moved into a desired position.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein pulling the distal end of the support strap comprises: pulling the support strap through a first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the cup; and pulling the support strap through a second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the cup, wherein the first lateral edge of the cup is disposed on an opposing side of the cup from the second lateral edge of the cup.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein locking the support strap into a desired position comprises coupling a distal end of the support strap to itself at a position selected from a plurality of available positions disposed along a length of the support strap.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast comprises applying a pressure to the top portion of the breast by the proximal portion of the support strap while simultaneously applying a pressure to the front portion of the breast by the distal portion of the support strap.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein pulling the support strap through the second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the cup comprises pressing a first panel coupled to the second loop up against a surface of the breast.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein pulling the support strap through the first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the cup comprises pressing a second panel coupled to the first loop up against a surface of the breast.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein locking the support strap into a desired position comprises folding the distal end of the support strap around the second loop and then coupling the distal end to a remaining portion of the support strap.
 19. The method of claim 9 wherein exposing the breast to allow the infant to nurse comprises uncoupling a portion of the cup from the bra and folding the cup downward.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein uncoupling a portion of the cup from the bra comprises uncoupling a top portion of the cup from a first panel disposed within the bra. 